Steps Off Broadway Productions Incorporated needs a tech makeover because…
Steps off Broadway is a not for profit Performing Arts Company located in Bellingham, MA serving the greater Worcester/Framingham Area. We are now trying to deal with and serve our coustomers using mismatched, dated,and often discarded computers which at this point do not work with each other. In our daily work routine, it is important that we, as a business, are able to communicate with and respond to the needs of our students and parents. Steps works with and does not discriminate against anyone regardless of their age or ability. That is why our students range from toddlers to the retired set (our oldest student is in her 70’s). Steps is also proud of its Extra Special Steps Department (currently in it’s 12th year). ESS is a place where students with Special Needs or handicaps can participate in and grow from Dance and Theater Classes. Steps has had the distinguished hornor to have been recognized by the Mass Depratment of Mental Retardation at their Annual Legislative Breakfast, the Evergreen Center Assisted Care Facility for our service to the community, and Rep. Jennifer Callahan who participated in and judged one of our Special Needs Talent Competitions. Of Course, like the Special Olympics, there were no losers, only winners!
At this point, after being in business for over 16 years, Steps is in financial distress. We have recently moved to a new facility which was going to be opened in October of 2003 and due to many delays was not able to move into our new facility until Dec of 2005. During those years Steps did its best to keep its doors open by operating in temporary facilities and locations throughout the area. Unfortunately it took its toll. Many students were forced to seek alternate schools and our enrollment plummeted. WE KEPT GOING!
We are moving forward and enrollment is increasing but it will take years to get back to where we need to be. We do not have the money nor the resources to invest in new equipment to serve our clients the way they should be served. In this day it is important that we stay updated and with the times. With new technology we would be able to update our electronic mailing lists to provide a more efficient and clearer way to reach all of our clients. Quite a bit of our publicity is carried out online through e-mail notifications and our website, and updated computers would make this process much easier. As of right now, only one of our computers is equipped with internet and we just recently were able to make a switch from dial-up. The computer in the front office is extremely old and it is difficult to work with. Within the last year we attempted to create a site on which clients could buy tickets to performances. This service would have greatly increased efficiency and eliminated human errors with ticket handling but we were unable to carry on with it because it was too difficult not having the front office computer online to access the site when people bought tickets at the studio. Other uses for new technology could include updating the way in which we can edit music. In our ESS program, we record the students so that they can perform in a live show to their own voices. With the software and equipment we have now, we are not able to make the necessary digital edits and often resort to using and cutting tapes manually.
This technological update would help Steps in more ways than imaginable. Creating tickets, programs, seating charts, class schedules, registration forms, and press releases could be made easier by an extraordinary amount. Even through all of our struggles, it has been our goal to provide a high standard and level of efficiency for our parents and students, and new equipment would enable us to more easily maintain and probably even raise that standard.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.
Steps Off Broadway should get this Tech makeover more than anybody. They truly deserve this blessing so they can continue to not only grow their business but teach & entertain like they’ve been doing many years… Good luck Keith & company, I wish you guys all the best!! Always Kat (past student)
HEy everyone! i’d just like to thank everyone that voted on behalf of steps off broadway!
GO STEPS <3 always since 1991 Mariah brunelle
Steps off Broadway Productions Incorporated is a dedicated performing arts center. This could really help us bring forth a lot of good things in the future!
Wanted to tell you guys how much you have helped our little town become a better place! Keith taking time out of your ridiculously busy schedule for the chorus at the high school is so awesome we love you guys and hope you get it!!!
Thanks for voting everyone! This truly is the little dance studio and theater that could! This tech makeover will make it even better!!
Steps is an amazing place… its like my second home. to see it get a tech makeover it would be amazing. so thanks to everyone who voted and who will continue to vote!
As a current student that practically lives at steps this tech make over would be extreamly appreaciated.
Thanks to all that have given time to read about our situation and vote. you truly are making a difference : )
Colin Chabot
Current Student
I’ve known Steps since it has opened. Both my daughters have grown there and I believe it was Steps that has brought them where they are today. I myself was involved with helping out backstage and on stage. Steps Off Broadway is one place where you can grow and enjoy.
Steps off Broadway deserves a makeover because we all need to support the ARTS. As an artist I know how difficult it is being creative person and trying to run the business part when you are not a business minded person. CREATIVE people need all the help we can get.Please give it to them
Steps Off Broadway is a great facility for children and adults. Over their many years inbusiness they have given more than 100% to everyone they have reached out to. It is time for them to get something back.
As a regular (and possibly the oldest!) partici-pant, I can state that STEPS is a great asset to the local area and surrounding communities. It provides valuable experience for aspiring actors, dancers, and singers of all ages, offering great entertainment while maintaining a high level of artistic integrity. They are truly deserving of this opportunity to enhance their technical capabilities and improve communications with the public. Please add your vote. Thanks.
Steps deserves this make over. My daughter is starting her second year and my son his first. What a great thing if they could get updated to todays technology. They really deserve it. Good luck Steps!!!
As a volunteer at Steps, I have watched young children blossom into outstanding young adults. This community theatre and school deserves this makeover. So it can continue to provide a safe and educational place for children and teens to learn and explore the arts.
Steps has a special place in my heart. I wish only the best for our family studio which provides the best dance and theatrical arts program in New England. Steps can really use a tech makeover, so please vote for US!
Steps is an amazing place where people of all ages and physical abilities can come to learn the arts of theater, dance, and singing. No matter if you’re just having a good time or intend to make performing your career, you will always find someone to talk to and have a great time. I’ve been there for over two years and have learned what it takes to be a professional performer. I love Steps!!!
Steps Off Broadway is the reason I and so many other people in my area love musical theater today. It is a fun place where kids get together to put on shows and really learn. Being non-profit, the studio has been been known to have money issues and rough patches…and yet they still put on killer shows. This amazing place has EARNED a technical makeover, years ago.
I feel that steps off broadway deserves the make over. This is a place that helps out everyone and makes them feel comfoptable.
Tamera Dakai | September 8th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I feel that steps off broadway deserves the make over. This is a place that helps out everyone and makes them feel comfortable
This guy totally deserves this more then anyone else i have seen yet. He is doing something that benefits the community and not himself. With this much needed makeover he can support the community even more effectively.
Steps seems to be a great company offering a good platform to all with no discrimination. It does deserve a makeover.
Steps Off Broadway Productions cares about people: the students, the performers, and the audience members; everyone who passes through its doors finds a warm & loving family that welcomes them without prejudice. Steps deserves this makeover so it may expand its worthy efforts to educate and entertain the people of Massachusetts & Rhode Island - especially our young people. Thank you to Steps Off Broadway Productions.
I am the volunteer Costume Designer for Steps and my son and husband participate in the performances. Teaching kids and adults to perform and dance is Keith’s life. When you work or visit Steps you feel like you are part of a hard working family. I have watch the kids grow, learn and go off to College to persue their dream. Steps Off Broadway Productions deserves this makeover so they can continue to educate our young people and adults in the performing arts. Remember everyone needs the Performing Arts in their life! Thank you Keith and Ray for all that you do!
My daughter, Alexandra is a student at Steps. Keith is the reason why she is pursuing her dream of being on Broadway one day. Steps deserves this makeover.
The Extra Special Steps program makes this studio one which offers services to an often forgotten population of our community. No other school in the area has such programs and, despite the fact that I do not utilize the program, I have worked with many studios locally and have found none other than STEPS that does. They should be commended and rewarded for this invaluable service.
I have never seen a teacher more committed to his students then Keith. He lives and breathes Steps. There is no one more deserving of a makeover!
Keith, Arlena and staff dedicate their lives to their students dreams. They are very talanted people and have the biggest hearts. They have also done so much for our children with disabilities. I never in a million years would have imagined that my child would be on stage performing. They have given my daughter and family a dream come true. We love you guys :~)
Steps Off Broadway is a great place for kids and adults to reinvent themselves. Not only do they have a blast bringing characters to life on stage but they build lifelong friendships and learn the true meaning of teamwork. Theatre is a great confidence booster for people of all ages. Another great aspect to theatre is being in the audience and getting totally lost in a colorful make believe world where you always leave feeling happy. Keith has been a constant for many kids who love him and want to make him proud. Go Keith!
My 2 daughters are new to the dance/theatre studio and after spending 10 years somewhere else I can see the special place that “Steps” is….
“Steps” deserves this update for all the wonderful things it provides for kids and adults…
Come on guys we are 300+ votes behind, we need to get more people to vote, moe often
Wow, this Steps story is compelling. What a great way to help a lot of people in one fell swoop!
Marco and I are watching this one. Cool stuff! Will you sing and dance for us too? Just kidding! (sort of)
I am writing this for anyone who has any appreciation of theatre arts! My daughter, age 13, has been involved @ STEPS for over 2 1/2 years for theatre. Mr. Keith is a kind-hearted man,who would take the shirt off his back to help you! He has enriched my daughter’s life so much already, with his positive attitude & allowing the young adults to also have FUN while learning. Keith & Arlena’s invovlement with the special needs students has touched my heart,as well[my nephew has multiple special need issues]. Please support this-it takes less than a minute to vote! Quick & easy…pass this on to ANYONE YOU KNOW, who knows that theatre,dance,voice & learning a craft is IMPORTANT! Thanks again-a friend of STEPS
I have never seen a teacher more committed to his students then Keith. He gives children the opportunity to express themselves and to learn. There is no one more deserving of a makeover!
Thank you all for voting. Steps Off Broadway is an amazing place for kids/teens/even adults to go and put on an amazing show everytime! Plus its a great place to learn to sing/dance/act and a wonderful environment full of talented, fun people! Keith and Ray really deserved this not to mention the Steps kids! Thank You!!
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